THE DESIRABILITY OF A PERMANENT TAX AMNESTY

There are two main concerns about tax amnesty. First, if it is anticipated it may increase cheating and reduce the efficiency of the tax system. Second, amnesty may be inequitable by letting cheaters 'off the hook'. However, several federal governments currently hold a policy of long-term, or permanent, tax amnesty, in apparent defiance of these concerns. This paper examines fully anticipated tax amnesty and finds that it is possible for a permanent tax amnesty to actually increase, rather than decrease, the efficiency and equity of the tax system. © 1991.